No Trinidad and Tobago nationals have been reported as affected by a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck Colombia yesterday, the Ministry of Foreign and Caricom Affairs has said.
However, the ministry said it was continuing to monitor the situation through Trinidad and Tobago’s diplomatic missions in the region.
“We have not received any reports of nationals of Trinidad and Tobago being affected by the earthquakes,” the ministry said in a release.
The earthquake struck western Colombia, killing at least 111 people, injuring 87 and damaging about 1,600 buildings. At least 61 buildings completely collapsed, with rescue teams searching through rubble for survivors.
The epicentre was near San Jose del Palmar in the Choco region, about 400 kilometres west of Bogota, according to the US Geological Survey.
The earthquake was also felt in neighbouring Ecuador and Panama, although minimal damage was reported there.
The Trinidad and Tobago Government expressed “firm solidarity” with the governments and people of Colombia and Ecuador following the earthquakes.
“The Government of Trinidad and Tobago remains mindful of the vulnerability of our region to natural disasters and shares the anxiety of our neighbours during this challenging period of assessment and recovery,” the ministry said.
Nationals who may have been affected or require consular assistance have been urged to contact the Trinidad and Tobago Embassy in Brasília.
The ministry said, “Our thoughts remain with those affected by this event” and offered its support for the safety and resilience of the people of Colombia and Ecuador.
